JP2002126492A - Manually controlled iterative liquid distributor/sucker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an iterative liquid distributor/sucker of a self-learning type which is simple in manual control. SOLUTION: This manually controlled iterative liquid distributor/sucker includes a regulation section (4), a motor drive section (5), an electronic control section (6), a manually cotrollable control section (8) and a programming section (9). The device described above is constituted in a manner described below: The volume of the liquid per time which can be transported by the motor drive section is regulatable in the electronic control section (6); at least one time of the processing intervals (tp) between plural times of the processing to be continuously executed is settable in the electronic control section (6); the discrete processing is activated by the first mode of the operation of the control section (8); the iterative continuous processing is automatically activated at every processing interval (tp) by the second mode of the operation of the control section (8); and the processing intervals (tp) are determined from one or plural times of the discrete activation carried out in precedence.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a manually operated repetitive liquid dispensing and / or aspirating device.

The teachings of the present invention relate to liquid handling operations in general. In this case, the liquid handling operation means, first, an operation of measuring and distributing a certain amount of liquid from a large amount of liquid collected in advance or a large amount of liquid stored separately by an appropriate dispensing device. including. However, the liquid handling operation also includes an operation of controlling and sucking a partial amount of liquid from a large amount of liquid. Furthermore, liquid handling operations also include a combination of both operations, i.e., both aspiration and dispensing of a partial volume of liquid. This combination may be performed as a repetition of suction / dispense or suction / movement / dispense.

[0003]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In this specification, the invention has been described mainly on the basis of a dispensing device. This description provides a brief understanding of the function of the device. However, the teachings of the present invention can be used for all liquid handling methods in aspirating and / or dispensing liquid.

[0004] The dispensing device described above is a repetitive pipette for pipetting systems operated by direct dispense (positive dispense pipette) or dispense with air buffering (air dispense pipette), or metering operated by positive dispense or air dispense. Including the metering device of the feeding system.

[0005] A manually operated repetitive pipette is a manually operated pipette connected to a syringe containing a large amount of liquid, and a small portion is weighed from the syringe by operating an operating portion and distributed into a receiver. Pipette. This repeat pipette is used for continuous testing, in particular in combination with a plurality of receivers, possibly with so-called titration dishes.

There are hand-operated, repetitive pipettes in which the piston adjustment is stepped by machine and the piston in the syringe moves as much as desired at each dosing step. However, the subject of the present invention is a repetitive pipette operated by an electric motor, in which the electric motor is controlled by the operation of an operating part provided on the pipette housing, and the piston adjustment part is desired. Move about.

The volume of liquid transferred by the pipette, ie the metered value, is usually, for example, 100 μl to 500 μl, and a typical syringe fill is an amount corresponding to 10 to 100 times the desired metered value.

A repetitive pipette operated by an electric motor is particularly convenient to operate because it has an electric motor. The electronic control unit for controlling the electric motor not only makes it possible to accurately select the metered supply value in advance, but also when the same amount of liquid is metered continuously over several times. It is also possible to select a processing interval in advance. In such a known repetitive pipette (positive ejection type), a desired processing interval is adjusted from an adjustment range of 0.1 to 1.0 second by operating a program key of the programming unit. It can be increased every 0.1 seconds. Another known pipetting system is a repetitive pipette designed as an air-dispensing pipette, in which the processing interval can be set between 0.1 and 10 seconds.

[0009] For example, when the operator performs
If the user has the impression that a processing interval of seconds is preferable, the operator sets the processing interval from the programming unit. When the operator starts the metering operation, the operation unit can be continuously operated in the operation after the start of the metering period. Each metering operation is
It is performed automatically at adjusted processing intervals, in this case at 0.4 second intervals. The operator need only move the repeat pipette over the new receiver during this time. According to the pipette of this type, the individual operation of the operation unit required to perform each metering operation is otherwise omitted.
Therefore, the working speed becomes extremely high.

[0010]

However, as a practical matter, it has been found that the above-mentioned automatic functions in known repetitive pipettes operated by electric motors are not used as often as might be expected. Probably the problem is that the operator cannot accurately predict how long the metering interval is suitable for him. Even the same operator has different rhythms from one day to the next. Depending on the degree of stress and the degree of fatigue of the operator, it may be difficult or easy for one operator to work at a rhythm that matches the processing interval set in the electronic control unit. . Processing intervals are often cumbersome and may not be adjusted. Indeed, if the operator notices that the set processing interval cannot be maintained, the operator will usually activate the controls and repeat the individual metering operations.

[0011] The same problem that has arisen with repetitive pipettes has also arisen in automatic dosing devices which are driven by electric motors but which are operated manually, by means of which the repetitive dosing operation is carried out automatically. This generally occurs when there is. The prior art of such a metering device is disclosed in DE19513023C2. These devices are especially known as bottle metering devices or bottle titrators.

As described above, a similar problem occurs in a manually operated liquid suction device and a coupling device in which liquid suction and distribution functions are combined.

A pipetting device having a memory function is known (DE 44 36 595 A1). This pipette device has a programming section that can be switched between "manual", "memory setting", and "memory operation". When the programming unit is in the "memory setting", the actuation of the operating unit causes the volume of liquid defined and stored by the operator to be aspirated or dispensed. At this time, the volume amount determined and stored in advance by the operator is stored in a memory in the electronic control unit.
Next, when the programming unit is switched to “memory operation”, the subsequent manual operation of the operation unit causes
Continuous dispensing or aspiration of a pre-stored volume of liquid is performed. Thus, actuation of the operating element only serves to activate the dispensing or suctioning process, but not to determine the duration.

In the above-described prior art, individual processing is started by manual operation of the operation unit. In this case, the activation of the automatically continued repetition processing at a predetermined processing interval adjusted in advance is not performed in this case.

An iterative pipette driven by an electric motor having a particularly ergonomic arrangement of controls in the vicinity of the display has also been disclosed (WO 00 / 51739A).
And WO 00 / 51738A). However, in this case, no detailed description has been given regarding the function of dispensing and aspirating a partial amount of liquid.

Furthermore, a repetitive actuation metering device, which can be programmed in various ways from the programming part, is also known (“Compudil” brochure, distributed April 12, 1984). The function of the pipetting device described above (DE 44 36 595 A1) is the same as for the dispensing of partial volumes of liquid.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid dispensing device and / or suction device as described above, which is easier to handle.

[0018]

An object of the present invention is to provide an adjustment unit, a motor drive unit for the adjustment unit, an electronic control unit for the motor drive unit, a manually operable operation unit for the electronic control unit, and
A manually operated repetitive liquid dispensing and / or aspirating device comprising a programming unit for an electronic control unit,
At least one liquid amount that can be transported by the motor drive unit when the operation unit is actuated can be adjusted in the electronic control unit by the programming unit, and at least during a plurality of consecutively executed processes can be adjusted. One processing interval (tp)
Can be set in the electronic control unit, individual processing is started in the first mode of operation of the operation unit, and continuous processing is repeated at every processing interval (tp) in the second mode of operation of the operation unit. The process is started automatically, and the electronic control unit itself analyzes a time interval generated between individual operations of the operation unit in one or more individual startups performed in advance. This is achieved by a repetitive liquid dispensing and / or suction device, characterized in that the processing interval (tp) is to be determined.

At the heart of the teachings of the present invention is the design of the electronic control as a self-learning system. This electronic control unit does not require the operator to set the processing interval in advance. Instead, the operator only has to start the handling operation in the form of a separately activated process and continue the individual process until the operator finds his own rhythm at that time.
Thereafter, when the operator changes the operation of the operation unit from the operation in the first mode to the operation in the second mode, the electronic control unit automatically continues the processing at the processing interval derived from the individual time interval performed earlier. I do.

By the self-learning function of the electronic control unit described above,
Instead of the operator adjusting to the processing interval, a processing interval adapted to the rhythm of the operator is provided. Therefore, in the device of the present invention, the advantage of utilizing this function is extremely large.
The working speed has been found to be very high with the device according to the invention.

The teachings of the present invention are further described below on the basis of a liquid dispensing device in which a predetermined amount of liquid is metered and discharged into a receiver by a motor drive in conjunction with actuation of an operating unit. However, as has been reiterated, the device of the present invention for handling liquids is generally applicable to all liquid dispensing and / or suction methods.

The phrase "operation of the operating part" may be understood in a general sense. For example, in the case of an operation unit designed using a push button, a general case where an operation button is pressed in response to an operation is included. However, on the other hand, depending on the design of the electronic control unit, the actuation button may be released or the function of actuation of the operating unit may be performed. In this case, the operation unit is always kept pressed during the individual processing of the metering operation, is temporarily opened only at the time of the individual processing, and is continuously opened in the case of the continuous operation.

In addition, it is also conceivable that the operating section is constituted by double buttons, in which case one button is for individual processing of the metering and supply operation, and the other button is for automatic processing. is there.

As in the case of using a computer mouse, an operation by one click (for individual processing) and double click (for continuous processing) can be considered.

It is further conceivable to use electrical operating components instead of mechanical operating components, in which case actuation is synonymous with interference / non-interference operation. For example, a capacitive proximity switch is considered as an operation component. Optical operating components, such as optoelectronic barrier switches, are also particularly suitable.

In this specification, the activation interval is defined as
It means a time interval from the start point of one operation of the operation unit to the start point of the next operation of the operation unit. This term is also referred to as the time interval between the individual actuations of the control.

The processing interval is the time from the starting point of a certain processing to the starting point of the next processing.

The pause interval refers to the time from the end point of a certain process to the start point of the next process.

Preferred embodiments of the invention and improvements in the teachings of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0030]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be explained in more detail by means of preferred embodiments illustrated in the following drawings.

The device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a dispensing in the form of a repetitive pipette 1 for a manually operated pipetting system, comprising a repetitive pipette 1 and a syringe 2 interchangeably mounted on the pipette. An apparatus, wherein the syringe 2 is filled in a quantity sufficient to weigh and dispense a small amount from the syringe 2 into a plurality of receivers a plurality of times.

FIG. 3 shows, in the form of a block diagram, the principle of the distribution device 1 according to the invention. FIG. 3 is also considered for understanding the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The device 1 according to the invention can comprise a repetitive pipette 1 in the form of a positive-dispensing pipette or an air-dispensing pipette, or a metering device such as a bottle dispenser or a bottle titrator. The dispensing device 1 is described below by way of example with a repetitive pipette 1 in the form of a positive-dispensing pipette, but the invention is not limited to this. As mentioned above, applications involving liquid dispensing devices and / or suction devices are possible. “Compudil” mentioned in the cited publications is an example of a stationary metering device, the contents of which are referred to in the content of the present application.

The distribution device 1 shown here has a first
In addition, a housing (pipette housing) 3 and an adjustment unit 4 are provided inside the housing. When the dispensing device 1 is a repetitive positive discharge pipette, the adjustment unit 4 is a piston adjustment unit, and the piston adjustment unit causes the piston (not shown) of the syringe 2 to discharge a predetermined amount of liquid each time. It can move forward to perform a metering operation. The electric motor drive unit 5 used for the operation of the adjusting unit 4 is further controlled by an electronic control unit 6. Other motors can be used, but an electric motor drive 5 is particularly suitable for practical use.

FIG. 1 shows a grip portion 7 for securely gripping the repetitive pipette 1 on the housing 3, and an operating portion 8 which is manually operated by an operator who operates the repetitive pipette 1. Also shown. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the operating unit 8 is configured in the form of an operation button.
However, the operation unit 8 may be formed of other components such as an operation rocker switch. The operation unit 8 is used for operating the electronic control unit 6. When activated,
The electric motor drive unit 5 is temporarily controlled by the electronic control unit 6, and the desired adjustment of the adjustment unit 4 is performed.

However, instead of mechanical parts,
A mode in which the operating unit 8 is preferably formed of a pure electronic component such as a proximity type component is particularly convenient. It is also particularly suitable to design the operating part 8 with capacitive proximity switches or stray field sensors or optoelectronic components such as, for example, optoelectronic barrier sensors or reflection sensors.

The figure enclosed by a dotted line on the right side of FIG. 1 shows an operation unit based on the operation principle of the photoelectron barrier. When the cover ^8III is pressed, the photoelectron barrier is interrupted, and this phenomenon becomes an operation signal of the operation unit. Such a signal is particularly convenient to handle in the electronic control unit 6, since a certain trigger value can be set in advance. However, mechanical switches tend to repel. This repulsion must be taken into account in the software of the electronic control unit 6 through an appropriate algorithm. The minimum waiting time during which the controls are completely insensitive must be taken into account in the algorithm. The sum of the minimum standby time and the minimum start-up time becomes the lower limit of the start-up interval, and thus the lower limit of the processing interval. Of course, it is preferable to set the lower limit as low as possible.

In addition, a programming section 9 for the electronic control section 6 is provided on the housing 3. In the illustrated form, the programming unit 9 is provided on the housing 3 by the operation unit 8.
Is provided on the opposite side. In the embodiment shown, the programming unit 9 for the electronic control unit 6 has a display surface in the form of a display 10 and several program keys 11.
It is important that this programming part be present, and the design details may be determined based on the technical knowledge of those skilled in the art. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a number of receptors 12 are shown below the repetitive pipette 1, and in the illustrated form, 8
The receiver is incorporated in a titration dish 13 having a × 12 (96) arrangement. In this case, of course, many variations are possible.

The electronic control unit 6 of the repetitive pipette 1 can adjust a predetermined measured amount corresponding to an extremely small amount of the filling amount of the syringe 2 by operating the programming unit 9 by the electronic control unit 6. 8 is designed to be able to dispense the above-mentioned amount of liquid from the syringe 2 to the receiver 12 in accordance with each actuation of FIG. This function is a unique function of the repetitive pipette 1. With this function, disparate metering values can also be achieved. The same applies to the dispensing device 1 in the form of a dosing device.

It is also very important that the electronic control unit 6 can set at least one processing interval in a plurality of processings to be continuously performed. In a specific example, the processing interval is a time interval between a plurality of continuously performed metering processes. Based on the general application of the teachings of the present invention, a single process may consist of several discrete steps, such as, for example, a series of suction, transfer, and distribution steps. In this embodiment, the description of the metering and distribution process will be continued.

Operation of the first mode of the operation unit 8, that is,
Individual metering operations are performed by the temporary actuation of the operating part 8 in the described form. The second of the operation unit 8
The operation of the mode, ie the continuous operation of the operating part 8 in the described form, causes an automatic repetitive metering operation at the processing interval tp.

In the technique of the present invention, it is important how the processing interval tp is determined. In the prior art, the processing interval tp is set by the programming unit 9 to 0.4 seconds. Set the processing interval from 0.1 to
It is performed in the range of 1.0 second and can be increased by 0.1 second. Other possible methods have already been shown.

In the device 1 shown here, the electronic control unit 6 itself analyzes the time intervals which occur between the individual actuations of the operating unit 8 in one or more individual activations which have been carried out earlier. Thus, the processing interval tp is determined. That is, the electronic control unit 6 is a self-learning electronic control unit 6. The electronic control unit 6 determines the rhythm when the operator performs metering from the activation interval of the operation performed in advance, and accordingly, the processing interval tp is determined. The operator himself / herself sends the processing interval tp from the programming unit 9.
Need not be set, instead, the processing interval tp automatically adapts to the operation rhythm of the operator.

The method for determining the processing interval tp is as follows.
The start interval from the last individual metering operation before the start of the continuous operation of the operation unit 8 is set to the processing interval tp by the electronic control unit 6.
A method that is accepted as is conceivable.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another preferred embodiment of the apparatus 1 of the present invention. In this case, the average value of the last n activation intervals (n> 1) before the start of the continuous operation of the operation unit 8, the last two activation intervals in the figure, is set as the processing interval tp by the electronic control unit 6. Accepted. In the extreme case, n may simply include all of the individual metering operations performed in advance.

The flow chart of FIG. 4 shows the individual metering operations 1,
Following 2,3,4,5, the automatic metering is started in operation 6 and continues to operations 7,8,9. In this case, the last two activation intervals, ie, t
_p3 and _tp4 are detected in the metering operation 5 before the start of the continuous operation of the operating part 8. This is indicated by the dotted line.

The desired averaging may be calculated simply arithmetically, ie according to the formula tp = ( _tp3 + _tp4 ) / 2. However, the averaging may be performed by a weighted average of the processing intervals between the last n individual metering operations. For example, even if the last three individual operations are detected as a whole and the time interval between the last individual metering operation and the penultimate individual metering operation is weighted twice in the averaging process, Good. In this analysis, it is assumed that the processing interval tp is obtained directly from the activation interval,
No conversion or correction is needed as long as this is the case.

The display of FIG. 4 may appear to be intended to show only pause intervals, depending on the perspective. However, the fact is of course not the case, and FIG. 4 is a diagram intended only to show the processing interval tp, ie the time interval from the start of one process to the start of the next.

As an analysis method of the individual metering operation by the electronic control unit 6, the average value of the processing intervals between a plurality of individual operations before the start of the automatic metering operation is statistically analyzed by the electronic control unit 6. A method of making the determination by a technique is considered.
In such a statistical analysis, a group of individual metering operations can also be detected with a time interval between each operation in a longer learning phase. As a method of performing the statistical analysis, a method of providing the electronic control unit 6 with a filter that deletes an abnormally long time interval and / or an abnormally short time interval can be considered.

The electronic control unit 6 of the dispensing apparatus 1 of the present invention operates until the predetermined processing interval tp or the processing interval tp accepted by the continuous operation of the operation unit 8 is arbitrarily and positively deleted. And / or may be designed to be stored until the device 1 is switched off, so that the stored values also work effectively when continuous operation of the operating part 8 is resumed. In this case, once the processing interval tp is determined, the processing interval tp is maintained even if the metering operation is interrupted, so that the operator can maintain the rhythm once found.

The positive deletion of the stored processing interval tp is as follows.
It can also be performed through the operation of the program key 11 of the programming section 9 and / or by restarting a number of individual metering operations. After a number of individual metering operations, the operator informs the electronic control 6 that the operator wishes to determine a new processing interval tp. The operator may be replaced, but in this case, the new operator wants to find his rhythm and reflect it on the processing interval tp. Such an object is also achieved by the design of the electronic control unit 6.

The time interval between the individual operations of the operating unit 8 in a single metering operation occurs in the continuous operation of the operating unit 8, ie, the automatic metering operation, in consideration of the time required for the operation of the operating unit 8 itself. Somewhat longer than the time interval.
This effect is such that the processing interval tp actually used is set by the electronic control unit 6 to be somewhat shorter than the processing interval tp determined by the electronic control unit 6 from the individual metering operation performed in advance. Alternatively, it can be taken into account by electronic control technology. The same applies to a case where the total operation time of the operation unit 8 is hardly or completely considered in determining the processing interval tp. In this case, the processing interval tp is determined based on the starting interval based on which the processing interval tp is determined.
The actual processing interval tp is short. Particularly in the case of the mechanical operation unit 8, this difference is significant as described above.

The processing interval tp can be corrected by a correction factor, preferably a preset fixed value correction factor, for the reasons described above. The accuracy of selecting the correction factor and determining the processing interval tp as a whole is, of course, generally determined by the accuracy in setting the processing interval tp.
When only the setting can be made every 0.1 second by any method, the error becomes larger than when the electronic control unit can set the processing interval tp by dividing the processing interval into smaller pieces.

The change in the operation rhythm of the operator after the start of the continuous operation of the operation unit 8 causes the electronic control unit 6 to detect the motion cycle of the distribution device 1 even during the continuous operation of the operation unit 8, The result can be taken into account by having it used for correction of the processing interval tp. In this case, the actuation of the operating unit 8 itself can no longer be used as an input value for the electronic control unit 6, so that when the operator moves the dispensing device 1 from one receptacle 12 to another 12. Movement must be detected instead. For example, the above-described detection can be performed by causing the acceleration sensor that detects the lateral movement of the distribution device 1 to analyze the lateral acceleration and causing the electronic control unit 6 to appropriately analyze the signal.

For the operation of the operation unit 8 in the first mode and the operation in the second mode, other preferable modes are conceivable.
The combination of the temporary operation and the continuous operation of the operation unit 8 has already been proposed in the prior art. Alternative preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims and will not be repeated here.

It has also been found that, as mentioned above, it is particularly preferred to design the operating part 8 as a purely electrically operated part, preferably a proximity part, rather than a mechanical part. In particular, the optoelectronic operating unit 8 shown in detail in FIG. 1 in which the opt-transmitter 8 ^I and the opt-receiver 8 ^II on the transmission link are covered by a deformable or movable cover 8 ^III is used for the analysis technology. Not only in terms of points but also in terms of analysis software. This point has already been described.

The features of the particularly preferred embodiment of the invention described above can also be implemented in a liquid suction device or a combined liquid suction dispensing device, adapting the corresponding method, as has been reiterated.

As a whole, the device 1 of the present invention having the self-learning type electronic control unit 6 provides a system which is easy for the operator to use, and enables a wide range of work by the manually operated type device 1 to be comfortable and easy for the individual. And thus very fast.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 shows a schematic diagram of a pipetting system consisting of an array of receptors, a titration dish, a repetitive pipette, a preferred form of the device according to the invention, and a syringe connected to the repetitive pipette, arranged on a titration dish. is there.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the housing of the pipette system of FIG. 1 as viewed from another direction.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart in a preferred form of a repeat pipette.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Repetitive liquid dispenser 2 Syringe 3 Case 4 Adjustment part 5 Motor drive part 6 Electronic control part 7 Grip part 8 Operation part 9 Programming part 10 Display 11 Program key 12 Receptor 13 Titration dish

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Ralph, Brown Germany, 97892, Kreuzwerthheim, Bruckenstrasse, 26 (72) Inventor Peter, Mahler Germany, 97892, Kreuzwerthheim, Seeweg, 5F Term ( Reference) 2G052 CA08 CA18 CA28 DA06 HC04 HC07 4G057 AB16 AB17 AB37 4G068 AA02 AA03 AA07 AB11 AC20 AD16 AD24 AD26 AE06 AF31

Claims (21)

[Claims] An adjusting unit (4), a motor driving unit (5) for the adjusting unit (4), an electronic control unit (6) for the motor driving unit (5), and a manual operation for the electronic control unit (6). Operation unit (8) capable of
And a manually operated repetitive liquid dispensing and / or aspirating device (1), comprising: a programming part (9) for an electronic control part (6); At least one liquid quantity that can be transported by the drive unit can be adjusted in the electronic control unit (6) by the programming unit (9), and at least once during a plurality of consecutively executed processes. The processing interval (tp) of the operation unit (6) can be set in the electronic control unit (6), individual processing is started by the first mode of operation of the operation unit (8), and the second operation mode of the operation unit (8) is started. 2
Depending on the mode, a continuous process repeated at every processing interval (tp) is automatically activated, and the operation unit (8) is operated once or many times individually in advance. The electronic control unit (6) itself analyzes a time interval generated between the individual operations, thereby obtaining a processing interval (t).
p) is determined.
Repeated liquid dispensing and / or suction device (1). 2. A repetitive pipette (positive or air dispensing pipette) for a pipetting system having a repetitive pipette and a syringe (2) interchangeably mounted on the pipette. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is characterized in that: 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) is a metering device (positive discharge type or air discharge type) for a metering system having a metering device and a liquid storage container for metering. The device according to claim 1. 4. The electronic control unit (6) accepts a time interval from the last individual activation before the automatic activation is started as a processing interval (tp). An apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The last n time intervals between individual activations (n> 1), preferably the last two time intervals between individual activations, before the activation of the second mode of the operating part (8). , The average value of, is accepted by the electronic control unit (6) as the processing interval (tp). 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein in the averaging a weighted average of the time intervals between the last n individual activations is obtained. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the average of the time intervals between the individual activations before the start of the automatic activation is determined by a statistical analysis method by the electronic control unit.
3. The apparatus according to any one of 3. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the electronic control (6) has a filter for eliminating abnormally long time intervals and / or abnormally short time intervals. . 9. A predetermined processing interval (tp) or a processing interval (t) accepted through operation of the operation unit (8).
p) is stored in the electronic control unit (6) until it is actively deleted and / or the device (1) is turned off, and the stored processing interval (tp) is stored in the operation unit. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the device works effectively even when the operation of (8) is restarted. 10. The stored processing interval (tp) is positively deleted by an operation of the programming unit (9) and / or by further performing a number of individual activations. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9. 11. The processing interval (tp) actually used is:
The electronic control unit (6) is set to be somewhat shorter than a processing interval (tp) determined by the electronic control unit (6) through individual activation performed in advance.
The device according to any one of claims 10 to 13. 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that a correction is preferably made with a fixed correction factor or another constant. 13. In the operation of the second mode, the electronic control unit (6) also detects the motion cycle of the device (1) during the starting operation,
13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the detection result is used for correcting a processing interval (tp). 14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the electronic control unit comprises a sensor for measuring the movement of the device during the activation operation. The described device. 15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first mode of operation of the operating section is a temporary operation, and the second mode of operation is a continuous operation. Equipment. 16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the operating part (8) is activated by pressing an operating key. 17. The operation unit (8) is operated by releasing an operation key pressed in advance.
Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims. 18. An operation unit (8) for a first activation for individual activation.
Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is composed of a double part consisting of a part and a second part for automatic activation. 19. The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is operated by one click (for individual processing) and double click (for continuous processing) like a computer mouse. An apparatus according to any one of the above. 20. The device according to claim 1, wherein the operating element is designed as a purely electronic component, preferably an electronic component that operates as a proximity component. apparatus. 21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the operating element (8) is designed as an optoelectronic component, in particular an optoelectronic barrier arrangement or a light reflection arrangement.